HE WAS ONLY 11 MONTHS OLD — THE SEARCH FOR BABY GRAYSON ENDED IN HEARTBREAK

Grayson Walton was reported missing in Kentucky just weeks before his first birthday. Hours later, police made a devastating discovery — and a 19-year-old man who was supposed to be caring for him was arrested.

An urgent search for an 11-month-old Kentucky boy ended in tragedy after authorities found Grayson Walton deceased inside a home in Cleaton.

Grayson had been reported missing after his father returned from work and learned that the baby was no longer where he expected him to be.

The discovery has left a family facing unimaginable grief — while investigators continue working to determine exactly what happened to the little boy.

THE BABY WAS SUPPOSED TO BE IN SOMEONE’S CARE

According to police, Grayson’s father told officers that his son had been left in the care of 19-year-old Elijah Mayes while he was at work.

On Saturday, September 12, officers responded to a reported disturbance at a home on Harrison Avenue in Central City.

Police said Mayes initially told investigators that a family friend had picked Grayson up at around 10 p.m. Friday night.

But investigators contacted that person — and police said she denied ever picking up the baby.

That immediately raised further questions about where Grayson was.

 THE SEARCH LED INVESTIGATORS TO ANOTHER HOME

A relative reportedly told investigators that Grayson had last been seen with Mayes at a residence on Hillview Street in Cleaton.

Police obtained search warrants as they attempted to establish the baby’s whereabouts.

During a search of the Harrison Avenue property, investigators reported finding suspected methamphetamine.

A second search warrant was then carried out at a residence on Hillview Street.

That was where authorities made the devastating discovery.

Grayson was found deceased inside the home.

 JUST WEEKS BEFORE HIS FIRST BIRTHDAY

Grayson was only 11 months old, meaning he was just weeks away from turning one.

What began as an urgent search for a missing baby instead became a death investigation.

Authorities have not publicly released the exact circumstances surrounding Grayson’s death, including a cause of death.

Police have said the investigation remains active and that additional information could be released as investigators continue their work.

 19-YEAR-OLD MAN FACES MULTIPLE CHARGES

Elijah Mayes, 19, of Central City, was arrested and taken to the Muhlenberg County Detention Center.

He has been charged with:

• Murder
• First-degree criminal abuse
• Tampering with physical evidence
• Abuse of a corpse
• First-degree possession of a controlled substance

Court records reported by WBKO indicate that Mayes was being held on a $1 million cash-only bond.

The charges are allegations, and the case remains pending.

 WHAT HAPPENED TO GRAYSON?

That question now sits at the center of the investigation.

Police have established a timeline involving Grayson’s disappearance, Mayes’ account of what happened to the baby, witness information and searches of multiple properties.

But authorities have not yet publicly explained how Grayson died.

Investigators are continuing to gather evidence and determine what happened between the time the baby was last seen and the moment he was found.

For Grayson’s family, the search for a missing child has ended with a devastating loss.

Now they are left waiting for answers about what happened to their little boy.

GRAYSON WAS ONLY 11 MONTHS OLD — AND HIS FAMILY’S QUESTIONS ARE JUST BEGINNING.